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Normally when people talk about Zeiss, it's regarding the company's optics business, which has been around for more than a century. However, Zeiss is making inroads into the VR space as well. Last year, the company introduced its One Plus VR headset. This entry-level device retails for $70 and, like the Google Cardboard or Daydream, leverages your smartphone as both the processor and display unit.

PC-powered VR gaming requires a minimum $500 investment just for the headset, but Zeiss and Steam have introduced a cheaper way to do it. The Zeiss VR One Connect runs SteamVR games powered by a PC, but sends a pre-rendered display signal to a smartphone installed in a mobile VR headset. You can then game using a pair of Zeiss wireless controllers, connected by Bluetooth to your iOS or Android smartphone with a screen between 4.7 and 5.5 inches.

Nokia's strong reputation in phone photography stemmed in no small part from its use of Carl Zeiss optics. Whether you had an N95 or a Lumia 1020, you knew the glass wouldn't let you down. But what's happening now that HMD Global is the one making Nokia-branded phones? Are they doomed to photographic mediocrity? Apparently, you can relax. HMD has struck a deal that will see Zeiss' imaging tech used in Nokia handsets. It won't just be limited to lens design, either. The two plan to work together on "standard-defining imaging capabilities" ranging from software to screen quality.

After the initial bubble of excitement, Google Glass was ultimately rejected by the public and sent back to the drawing board, all for one simple reason: Despite repeated attempts to tone down the design of Glass and make it more familiar, it remained an alien thing to see on someone's face. Add in privacy concerns stemming from that camera and a lack of a clear use case and it's no surprise that the idea of face-worn wearables took a major hit.

While the Surface Pro 4 may garner the bulk of the attention from today's Microsoft event, the folks in Redmond had other stuff to reveal, too. Those other announcements include a pair of smartphones, one of which is the supersized Lumia 950 XL. Thanks to a handful of leaks, we already had an idea what the handset would look like and some details of its spec sheet. The 950 XL features a larger OLED screen than its sibling, measuring 5.7 inches at 518 ppi. It also offers 32GB of storage that you can expand via microSD card up to a whopping (theoretical) 2TB. There's a 20-megapixel camera with a Zeiss lens around back with triple LED RGB natural flash, optical image stabilization and a dedicated camera button as well, continuing to leverage the photo chops from Nokia. That wordy flash description basically means people will look more natural in photos where you have to employ said feature. And, of course, all of that runs on Windows 10.

Sony's full-frame Alpha cameras have serious game, and their only weakness -- a lack of lenses -- is quickly becoming a non-issue. Zeiss has just added a couple more full-frame "Batis" AF lenses that have a singular feature: an OLED display. That lets the 25mm f/2 wide angle and 85mm f/1.8 portrait lenses show the lens' focal plane and depth of field, two pieces of info your camera normally can't. That'll be of dubious utility for casual photographers, but could help pros who like to fine-tune shots. The price to be on the bleeding edge of lens tech? $1,199 and $1,299 for the 85mm and 25mm models, respectively, according to Adorama.

We like Sony's full frame Alpha mirrorless A7-II and light-vacuuming A7s cameras, but the downside is a narrow range of full-frame lenses. It's now resolved the problem significantly with four new models, including a walk-around zoom and fast prime from Zeiss. The latter, a Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA auto-focus model, creates "gorgeous" images according to Steve Huff, though at $1,698, it's not for the faint of wallet. The Sony 24-240 f/3.5-6.3 AF zoom, on the other hand, is aimed at tourists with its optical stabilization, weather-sealed design and $1,000 price tag.

Zeiss must be doing well in the lens business, as it hasn't exactly been in a rush to get its Cinemizer OLED on to shelves. Still, we're happy to say that the head-mounted display is at last slipping into retailers: Amazon partners are now carrying the regular 870 x 500 version for $749 in the US (German titling aside) and £578 in the UK. It doesn't look to be the version with head tracking that we tried earlier this year, but you'll still get a 3D image through HDMI 1.4 in addition to 2D through either the HDMI link or analog input. The price makes it a tempting alternative to the more advanced but costlier Sony HMZ-T2 -- and for those who'd like something slightly more discreet-looking while they zone out with a good movie.

We're quite familiar with ruggedized camcorders here at Engadget, be they from GoPro or Contour. However, Sony recently entered the extreme video fray with its Action Cam, and we got the chance to do a little POV recording with one. The videos produced were on par with what we've seen from the Action Cam's competition -- a nice wide view and decent quality. While we've seen other such cams have trouble with color balance, the Sony's was accurate both indoors and out and it adjusted to transitions from dim to bright environments quickly. And, while the SteadyShot image stabilization tech didn't eliminate all the shakes in our videos, it did noticeably reduce them. That said, you don't have to take our word for it, head on past the break and see the results for yourselves.

Hold off on that Aeroflot booking just for now. While this isn't the US release many will be anticipating, it looks like Nokia's big-eyed 808 PureView phone is getting a release a little closer to home. Those of you wanting to sample some of that 41-megapixel delight, now need only plan a trip south of the border, as Mexico is set to start selling the handset sometime this month. Much like its Russian and Indian debut, specifics on dates are sparse, with the Spanish version of the Nokia blog only going as far to say "some weeks later" (than the India / Russia release) qualifying that, however, as "this month". At least if you do venture down you can bank on some killer holiday pics.

Are you eagerly awaiting to get your hands on that 41 megapixel Symbian Belle flagship? We bet you are, and perhaps today is your lucky day -- if you live in Russia or India, that is. Nokia's just officially announced that the 808 PureView will be available this month "in select markets." Strangely, the company didn't give a specific date or list any countries beyond the aforementioned two. The handset, which was revealed at Mobile World Congress in February, is expected to retail for 450 Euros and "revolutionize the imaging experience" with its large sensor, Zeiss optics and pixel oversampling technology. Speaking of which -- Nokia's also just renewed its partnership with the German lens manufacturer. Coincidence? We think not. Check out the full PR after the break.

It's no secret that Sony's A77 and A65 SLT cameras have suffered from noticeable lag when it comes to adjusting exposure settings, among other things. For those irked, you'll be pleased to know that the company has just updated both cameras to firmware version 1.05, claiming it'll "sharpen their responses." Specifically, you'll be noticing faster cold startups shutdowns, quicker response times from the front and rear dials and faster access to images in auto review. That's not all, however, as Sony has also added in-camera shading and chromatic aberration compensation for 11 of its A-mount lenses, which can translate to less time cooking your images in post. Last, but not least, the A77 gets an extra bonus for its autofocus system that improves its abilities in high-contrast environments, while the SAL500F40G 500mm F4 G SSM super-telephoto lens will now focus faster with both shooters. Shutter finger already twitching? Don't delay, you'll find full details in the press release after the break and download information at the source link below. Be sure to let us know how it treats you in the comments.

The Carl Zeiss Cinemizer OLED has been a long time in the making -- we first heard about the video glasses at Macworld in 2008 -- but the company has yet to push the head-mounted display past the prototype phase. We stumbled upon Zeiss' booth here at CeBIT, where we found a version of the glasses that look mighty similar to the mock-up we saw in marketing materials from 2010, but are now equipped with a pair of head-tracking modules to expand the yet-to-be released marvel's practicality. With head-tracking now on board, the Cinemizer can theoretically appeal to gamers, architects, even educators, who can use the glasses in the classroom.

We took a look at an Inreal CAD app demo that lets the wearer navigate a yet-unbuilt house, walking through virtual rooms (a joystick is used for forward motion, so you won't be accidentally walking into physical walls) as you judge paint colors, furniture placement and try to convince your significant other that there really is room for a 65-inch HDTV. The tracking modules are located behind the ear rests on each side of the OLED glasses, which have seen a slight boost in resolution since we last heard about them, jumping from VGA to 870 x 500 pixels in each OLED panel. Tracking was responsive and accurate -- the experience of walking around a room felt almost lifelike. What's even more exciting than the device's performance is that we may finally see these hit stores in 2012, with a tentative summer ship date. And, while still a pricey addition to your display collection, the Cinemizer lands on the inexpensive end of the Zeiss product scale, ringing up at €649 (about $850), plus another €100 for the tracking hardware. Jump past the break to see it in action.%Gallery-149741%
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cadcarl zeisscarl zeiss cinemizer oledcarlzeisscarlzeisscinemizeroledcebitcebit 2012cebit2012cinemizercinemizer oledcinemizeroleddisplaydisplaysglasseshands-onhead mounthead mountedhead mounted displayhead-mounted displayhead-mounteddisplayheadmountheadmountedheadmounteddisplayhmdhudinrealinreal cadinrealcadoledoled glassesoledglassesvideovideo glassesvideoglassesvirtual realityvirtualrealityvrzeissTue, 06 Mar 2012 11:06:00 -050021|20186937https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/06/carl-zeiss-cinemizer-3d-plus-glasses-get-oled-infusion-still-no/https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/06/carl-zeiss-cinemizer-3d-plus-glasses-get-oled-infusion-still-no/https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/06/carl-zeiss-cinemizer-3d-plus-glasses-get-oled-infusion-still-no/#comments

Carl Zeiss keeps on making minor improvements to its Cinemizer head-mounted display, announced way back in 2008 and intended to be the most amazing way to watch stuff on your iPod. They didn't exactly catch on then, and two years later we're not entirely sure that the latest revision will either. The tiny screens that sit a fraction of an inch from your eyeballs have been upgraded to OLED, which should make them bright and lovely as they pummel your rods and cones, but sadly they're still stuck in VGA land -- 640 x 480 is not a lot of pixels these days. This version also pledges greater compatibility with non-Apple devices, a welcome change, and even more welcome is the new visual styling, which makes you look a little less walleyed than the last model. Despite this the price hasn't changed much, estimated to be around €400 ($515), but that's still a lot to pay just to have the coolest Frozone costume ever.
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3d3d display3d glasses3ddisplay3dglassescarl zeisscarlzeisscinemizercinemizer pluscinemizerplushead-mounted displayhead-mounteddisplayoledzeissMon, 06 Sep 2010 10:44:00 -040021|19622307https://www.tuaw.com/2010/07/08/adding-a-carl-zeiss-slr-lens-to-your-iphone-4/https://www.tuaw.com/2010/07/08/adding-a-carl-zeiss-slr-lens-to-your-iphone-4/https://www.tuaw.com/2010/07/08/adding-a-carl-zeiss-slr-lens-to-your-iphone-4/#comments

If the 5x digital zoom on the iPhone 4's 5 MP digital camera doesn't make your heart pound with joy, maybe you should dig out some of those lenses from the SLR film camera that you're not using anymore and use 'em with your iPhone.

We're not sure of the source of this Franken-cam, but it looks like the real deal. Think of this as an über-Owle Bubo, with the ability to use higher quality lenses with your iPhone to take amazing photos.

Starting with a Manfrotto Model 797 Modopocket tripod, the rest of the rig appears to be some sort of clamp holding the lens and (on the camera side) a T-mount adapter. I'd be willing to venture that there's some sort of lens in the T-mount so that our friend, the iPhone, doesn't have to squint to see through that nice Carl Zeiss lens...

TUAW readers -- can you identify the other components used here? Should you recognize any of the bits and pieces, let us know what they are via the comments so that the digicam geeks in the crowd can assemble this kit.

[via Technabob and Engadget]
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digicamdigital cameradigitalcameraiphoneiphone 4iphone4manfrottophotographyslrtripodzeissThu, 08 Jul 2010 18:00:00 -040016|19546606https://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-zeiss-powerdomevelvet-planetarium-projector-2-500-000-1-c/https://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-zeiss-powerdomevelvet-planetarium-projector-2-500-000-1-c/https://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-zeiss-powerdomevelvet-planetarium-projector-2-500-000-1-c/#commentsWe've seen dynamic contrast ratios on HDTVs climb as high as 2,000,000:1, but an in-house design from the famed Carl Zeiss blows that right out of the water. The powerdomeVELVET planetarium projector was obviously not designed with home cinema in mind, though the specifications are no less impressive. We've got a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio, DLP / BrilliantColor technologies, a 1,200p native resolution and a DVI input. Not like you're actually considering one for your own domed theater, but it'll be available for a small fortune in Q1 2009.

[Via DVICE]
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brilliantcolorcarl zeisscarlzeissdisplaysdlphdtvhome entertainmentpjpowerdomepowerdomevelvetprojectortexas instrumentstexasinstrumentsvelvetzeissMon, 29 Sep 2008 19:41:00 -040021|1327884https://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-zeiss-powerdomevelvet-planetarium-projector-2-500-000-1-c/https://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-zeiss-powerdomevelvet-planetarium-projector-2-500-000-1-c/https://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-zeiss-powerdomevelvet-planetarium-projector-2-500-000-1-c/#commentsWe've seen dynamic contrast ratios on HDTVs climb as high as 2,000,000:1, but an in-house design from the famed Carl Zeiss blows that right out of the water. The powerdomeVELVET planetarium projector was obviously not designed with home cinema in mind, though the specifications are no less impressive. We've got a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio, DLP / BrilliantColor technologies, a 1,200p native resolution and a DVI input. Not like you're actually considering one for your own domed theater, but it'll be available for a small fortune in Q1 2009.

There have been plenty of attempts at LCD glasses, iPod goggles, 3D eyewear, and even a hacked iPod cyborg model, but the Zeiss Cinemizer is a little different. First of all, if the name Zeiss looks familiar, it should be. That's Carl Zeiss, one of the most respected names in optics. The Cinemizer, as a result, has a pristine viewing experience, but perhaps more importantly, doesn't suffer from the front-heavy, nose-jamming weight you find on previous offerings.

The Cinemizer supports 3D (if the video is 3D to begin with), and has a battery/control system that's about as elegant as you're going to get with something you have to strap your iPod into. Check out the video as Mike puts it through the paces. Unfortunately our "mind's eye" adapter was in the shop, so you won't be seeing what Mike sees, but his description and facial contortions are hilarious ample enough.